A Month of Halloween

Once upon a time there was a flower fairy princess ballerina named Piper. She was the most beautiful flower fairy princess ballerina in all of the land and everyone loved and adored her. Everyone that is, except for the town skunk, Finley. Finley was jealous of all the beautifulness that was Piper the flower fairy princess ballerina and of her sweet scent, not like her scent since she was a skunk.


So Finley hatched a plan to take away all of Piper the beautiful flower fairy princess ballerina's sweet smells on the night of the big fall festival. When the night finally came, Finley the skunk put on her sweetest smelling perfume to cover up her skunk smell and headed over to the fall festival. There she saw Piper the flower fairy princess ballerina but something was wrong.

Piper the flower fairy princess ballerina had a mess of sticky red gunk all over her beautiful flower fairy princess ballerina dress and it smelled so foul that everyone was running away holding their noses and breath so as not to smell her stinkiness. Everyone that is, except for Finley the skunk. She decided that she needed to help Piper the flower fairy princess ballerina because she knew what it was like to be alone and smelly.

She made her way over to Piper the flower fairy princess ballerina and began to clean off the red stinky gunk and wipe away the big fat tears that were rolling down her face.

"Why are you helping me?" asked Piper the flower fairy princess ballerina.

"You were all alone and I know what that feels like, to be alone and smelling not so pretty," said Finn the skunk.

"Thank you so very much," Piper the flower fairy princess ballerina said and gave Finn the skunk a big snuggly hug.

And as she gave the hug something magical happened, because you see if you are given a hug by a flower fairy princess ballerina, all of the sweet and beautiful scents are given with the hug and you smell just like a beautiful flower fairy princess ballerina! And from that day on, Piper the flower fairy princess ballerina and Finn the skunk were best friends and of course, lived happily sweet smellingly ever after.

I spotted one of them there mullets!

So my friend, Kellie, commented that this guy reminds her of jason "with hair":



But, this is actually what Jason looks like "with hair":



and what glorious hair it is indeed!



and for your pleasure, a slide show of our visit to the pumpkin patch, or "punkin catch" as Piper calls it.

Katie Katie Bo Batie

Happy Birthday to Kaitlyn Paige (Katie). What a special girl she is and we love her so much. She one of those kids that you just want to gobble up because she is so deliciously sweet.

When it rains

So much excitement today. First, we were greeted by Wilma, it wasn't so bad. Really wet and extremely windy. We lost a hibiscus plant in our front yard but all in all the worst part was being held hostage inside all day. We got out for a walk in the early evening and to our sweet surprise it was nice and cool.

But by far the most exciting thing to happen today was the arrival of two very special babies:

Eli Richard 3 pounds 12 ounces
Elizabeth Louise 3 pounds 9 ounces

My sister-in-law's water broke on Thursday and they went to the hospital and she got all kinds of drugs to develop the babies' lungs and such and then her labor started and they successfully stopped the labor and began the "wait and see." Her due date was December 20, so needless to say they didn't want the babies to come out yet. She puttered around since then with contractions on and off until this afternoon when they picked up and she had an emergency c-section. The babies came out screaming with excellent apgar scores and no need for oxygen.

Happy Birthday beautiful blonde snuggly babies. You are so special and so loved.

Seanathon

Close your eyes and make a wish!

Happy Birthday Sean!!

click me

Saturday

Happy 3rd birthday to Aunt Abby!

Happy Birthday

Kelly and Shannon circa 1997
Happy Birthday to my friend, Kelly.

Random

You know how every baby has a "thing" that calms them down? Like a face you make, or a special toy or blanket, or the passy or their thumb, or maybe a song?

Finley has a "thing" and just in case you find yourself on the receiving end of her wrath you should know that her "thing" is a song and that song is?

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes, that's the book for me
I stand alone on the word of God
The B-I-B-L-E
BIBLE!

(make sure you are singing fairly loud and clapping on the beat)



Overheard tonight while Jason was finishing up Piper's bath and I was putting Finley down for bed:

Jason: Piper, you have a choice. You may rinse your hair or I can rinse your hair. I will count to three and then you will make your choice.

Piper: But I want Mommy to do it. I want Mommy to rinse my hair.

Jason: One...

Piper: NO! NO! NO!

Jason: Two...

Piper: NNNNNOOOOOOOO!

Jason: Piper, Mommy cannot rinse your hair because she is putting down Finley and she isbreast-feeding.

Piper: No, Daddy, you put sister down. You do it!

Jason: Piper, breast feeding? I do not have breasts.

Piper: Daddy, you have a penis?

Killer

since I have been workingon costumes for my little goblins I started to think about what I had been for Halloween as a child. I couldn't remember very many so here is the short list:

a clown
a genie
minnie mouse
something involving fishnets

and my personal favorite -



in kindergarten I was Cyndi Lauper complete with pink hair in a side ponytail on the top of my head and an acid washed denim mini-skirt that was all ruffly. I'm talkin about vintage full-on girlsjustwannahavefun 80's Cyndi Lauper. I attended private school and although we were allowed to forgo our uniforms and wear costumes for halloween I had to say I was a "punk rocker", and yeah, I was 5 years old. How impossibly cool was I? Classic.

The Blustery Day

It has been so windy today that Piper and I decided to make a kite this afternoon. It is not a functional in thesense that it is real, but for all intensive purposes it got the job done. Piper took it outside to fly it (which means Piper running back and forth dragging it) before it started to rain. I am such a sucker for my girls, I just think they are the most beautiful things ever created.



Anyway you can click for a slideshow of the kite flying extravaganza!

Unfinished

It seems that everything in my life right now is labeled as "unfinished." There are countless projects that are staring at me longingly wondering "when will I get done?" "when will it be my turn."



Case #1 :The pool. We are in week 5 of the pool construction and it seems to be at a stand still. Everyone says this happens...it moves very quickly in the beginning until they shoot the shell and then it stops. The curing process seems to be the culprit, although do you really think it has to cure for 30 days? And aren't there things that could be done while it is in this dormant phase? I don't know and honestly I am afraid to ask because the people are mean and not easy to work with. I am not one to back down from confrontation, but these people not nice and would not receive the questioning as I would intend it to come across.



Case #2: Halloween costumes for the girls. Why oh why did I think I could pull this one off? I am in no way what one would call a seamstress. I have made a couple bags, a couple dresses, and curtains and that's about it. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to make the girls costumes...that it would be meaningful and special and they could use them for years to come to play dress up and look at them adoringly and worship them because they came from the hands of their mother. Bad bad idea. Now, I have to finish them because I have already spent the money on all of the fabrics and I WILL NOT buy them a costume because of the same reason. So where does that leave me? Unfinished.

Case #3: A lawsuit that I am not allowed to talk about, yet. Unfinished.

Case #4: Laundry, laundry and more laundry.



Case #5: This blog. As you can see the posts have been sporadic at best and there is good reason. There has been a tremendous amount of sickness in my little family between the Bug, the Birdie, and me. I have strep throat yet again, the 4th time in 2 months and this puts me at a 50/50 chance of having my tonsils SURGICALLY REMOVED. Not my idea of a good time. And my poor kids, it seems like we haven't been all well in what seems like forever. There is always a cough, a fever, or a snotty runny nose.

I need to get my act together. Finn will soon be turning a whole year old. This means a party will have to be planned, invitations ordered and sent, gifts bought and wrapped, and everything else that goes along with having a birthday celebration. Before that, however, it Halloween. The costumes. I'm getting stressed thinking about it. Then Thanksgiving and the twins coming, and Christmas, and New Years. I think I'm gonna throw up.

Happy Birthday Corey!

Crazy Eyes

Piper was just drawing on her doodle pad and she said:

"Mama, look I drew a face. A man. And he has CRAZY eyes!"

26 is closer to 30 than 20 my friend

Happy Birthday Noah!

Wine and Cheese

So, I have written about the "school" that Piper and Finn attend, Lab School and something really exciting is happening at our school. We are raising money for a new playground for our facility. The main fundraiser is a Wine and Cheese party this weekend that sounds like it's going to be really fun. There will be a wine tasting and raffle and music and everything and it is at the home of one of our lab school families, and let me just say their home is BEAUTIFUL.

So, you are all invited and Jason and I will be there and if you don't want to attend or are busy for some reason, consider making a donation. We have a sponsor that is matching the money we raise up to $10,000. cool, see you there...I'll be the drop-dead grogeous one, right.

Summer

There was a moment today when I thought that someone had swiped Piper out with a clone because she was just so good today. It was a great day and we went to the park but only lasted for about 30 minutes because it is insanely hot.

You Gotta Fight Fight Fight for FSU

it's that time of year again...

Go SEMINOLES!

FIGHT TEAM FIGHT!

SCALP 'EM!

eventhough our new QB kinda sucks

September Favorites

*parking spaces for parents with children

*juice box holders

*"the closer"

*disposable sippy cups

*jack johnson and matt costa (think nick drake/simon & garfunkle)

*pedicures with piper

*Becoming the Parent you want to be by Laura Davis and Janis Keyser

*My hunky husband cleaning out the garage, installing a pretty new ceiling fan...being the handy man that he is!

*Apostle Clothing - Jason's new sponsor

*Jason's new cell phone (all I want for Christmas is...)

*old friends becoming new friends again

*Finley's lack of fear

*good ol'fashioned down on your hands and knees scrubbing of the kitchen floor

*Fun times with friends who also happen to be family

*Piper on a sugar high PSYCHO!

*my dad - he is a present day hero

This is a comment that Jason left ona previous post and i just want to share with you the man that he is to me:

One of the reasons I don't read your blog while I'm at work is because it often brings me to tears. You're my soulmate and it's things like this post that remind me of the ties that bind our souls together.

I wanted to say something mushy about loving through the thick and thin but I'll hold off for now. Instead I'll share a few of my favorite Jason & Shannon moments to make you laugh and possibly even cry.


- mentoring Wingnut

- loving you so much it hurt

- buying a house

- avoiding muggings in Costa Rica

- making that new house our's

- ripping up perfectly good floors and putting down new floors in that house

- having an epiphany about children and telling your parents we weren't going to wait any longer to start having children when your dad was in a hospital bed

- watching you nest when it was time for Piper to come

- painting Piper's book case when you were in labor because the labor pains were killing me

- not being grossed out by Piper's birth and feeling more in love with you and this new life than ever before

- watching you become a mama and me become a papa in an instant and over time and feeling more fullness in life than I ever imagined

- watching our first baby become a little girl and seeing you in her more and more

- welcoming Finley into the world with open arms and a big sister to guide her

- trying, failing, trying, failing, trying some more to make family time a real priority

- learning the value of a coffee maker

- watching you improve yourself and our family life and house and being inspired by it

Shannon, through the beaches and the law suits, from Curacao to Murphy, North Carolina. From diapers to dating again. From weeknight dinners to Saturday morning breakfasts, my love for you grows stronger and deeper than I ever could've known when we were married. You're my soulmate and my lover. I'll be home shortly.

~jason

SCHWEEET

My baby daddy got sponsored, sort of.

Bubble Toes

It's as simple as something that nobody knows that her eyes are as big
as her bubbly toes
on the feet of a queen of the hearts of the cards and her feet are all
covered with tar balls and scars
It's as common as something that nobody knows that her beauty will
follow wherever she goes
up the hill in the back of her house in the would she love me forever,
I know she could

I remember when you and me mmm how we used to be just good friends
Wouldn't give me none
But all I wanted was some
She's got a whole lot of reasons
She cant think of a single one
That can justify leaving
and he got none but he thinks he got so many problems
Man he got, too much time to waste

His dreams are like commercials
But her dreams are picture perfect and
Our dreams are so related though they're often underestimated

It's as simple as something that nobody knows that
Her eyes are as big as her bubbly toes
On the feet of the queen of the hearts of the cards
And her feet are infested with tar balls and

La da da da da da

Well I was eating lunch at the D. L. G.
When this little girl came and she sat next to me
I never seen nobody move the way she did
Well she did and she does and she'll do it again

When you move like a jellyfish
Rhythm don't mean nothing
You go with the flow
You don't stop
Move like a jellyfish
Rhythm is nothing
You go with the flow
You don't stop

It's as common as something that nobody knows it
Her beauty will follow wherever she goes
Up the hill in the back of her house in the wood
She'll love me forever, I know she

La da da da da da

If you would only listen
You might just realize what you're missing
You're missing me
If you would only listen
You might just realize what you're missing
You're missing me

It's as simple as something that nobody knows that
Her eyes are as big as her bubbly toes
On the feet of the queen of the hearts of the cards
And her feet are infested with tar balls and

La da da da da da

Amazing

So what can I say about the show last night?

Let's begin at the beginning. We left the house and piled into Tiffany's car (6 of us) and it took us about 45 minutes just to get out of Merritt Island/Cocoa/Rockledge area and onto I95 to Boca Raton (where the show was). It was a long trip and we decided to stop at Burger King to get something to eat. They were understaffed and a fight almost broke out...not good.

So then we made our way to the amphitheater and realized that this venue was unique in that we didn't really need to buy tickets...there were hundreds of people just sitting outside the gates on lawn chairs with their coolers have a great time. Anyway, we made it through the gates and waded through the masses to a spot to put our balnket on the ground. we were very lucky that it didn't rain at all and it was a beautiful night.

Matt Costa opened with the Animal Liberation Orchestra. As a special "guest musician," Tom Dumont from No Doubt is touring with them. I have to say that I was impressed by Matt Costa and I have since bought his album from itunes. Check him out! Funny thing is that after the hole show was over, we were waiting for Beka to buy a shirt and walks by Matt Costa. Jason had his picture made with him and he seemed surprised that anyone would want to do that.

So, then Jack Johnson came on. I have to say that it was the best show ever. It was a small venueso it was very intimate. Beka, Tiffany, Noah and I ducked and weaved our way to the front of the crowd and of course there were the drunk obnoxious people and the constant threat of punches being thrown, but when it almost actually happened people were saying, "C'mon man, it's Jack Johnson." And that perfectly summed up the laid-back and inspiring and flowing that the music was. It was like a big party. He sang all of my favorite songs and then we were surprised with a special guest.

Jimmy Buffet. Came out and sang with Jack Johnson. Sweet.

It was a long drive home and it smelled like up dog. What's up dog? What exactly is up dog? (sorry, this is an inside joke)

This was the highlight of this year so far, it was exhilarating and refreshing and all things fun and crazy and fantastic.

Jack Johnson

I can't wait...4 days until we go to the concert. Fun fun fun!



Times Like These

in times like these
in times like those
what will be will be
and so it goes
and it always goes on and on
and on and on it goes

and theres always been laughing, crying, birth, and dying
boys and girls with hearts that take and give and break
and heal and grow and recreate and raise and nurture
but then hurt from time to times like these
and times like those
what will be will be
and so it goes

and there will always be stop and go and fast and slow
action, reaction, sticks and stones and broken bones
those for peace and those for war
and god bless these ones not those ones
but these ones made times like these
and times like those
what will be will be
and so it goes
and it always goes on and on
and on and on it goes

but somehow i know it wont be the same
somehow i know itll never be the same

There is a reason why I haven't posted anything about the hurricane. Honestly, until last night when I had a couple hours to myself to watch the news, I had no idea the magnitude of the situation. Channel after channel there were news specials about the destruction that has been left behind in the path of hurricane Katrina. I could not find words or wrap my head around the devastation that these people are facing. So, I won't go on and on about the tragedy just ask that you pray for these victims, give a donation, send a relief pack or something. I want to do more. Where do you begin?

one more thing

School Days

So we are back in full swing as Lab School has started again and this year both girls are in a class...Piper in one day a week Toddlers and Finn is in one day a week Older Infants. We started Piper on Tuesday and I soon realized that the children in that class were at least 4months younger and none of the kids she was with last year were in there so we decided to switch to the Thursday class. She knows more of the kids in that class and they are closer to her age. With a "slow-to-warm" child, I thought it was important for her to feel absolutely comfortable and today was a success as she creeped out of her shell. Finn is in the Older Infants class and she is the youngest, but she crawled right into the middle of everthing and stole some little boy's toy right off the bat. She will not be pushed around. I am now the "Art Parent" for Finn's class and the "Parent Leader" for Piper's class. I am crazy.

It's a juggling act and just today I ran into a mother of a former student of mine and she said:

"I remember the days when my girls were little and I just resigned myself to the fact that my life was all about them and totally devoted to them and their interests."

Yeah.

Also, I am a moron.

On Tuesday I was rushing out of the house because even though I wake up at the crack of dawn I still can't seem to get it together so we are not rushed in the morning...and I put Piper's shot record on the top of the car and then my beautiful little awesome camera on top of the shot record so I could wrestle Piper into her car seat...and you can see where this story is going. I of course left the shot record and my poor defenseless camera on the roof of the car.

You want to know what's really bad about this story...I didn't even remember that I had put those things there. Later that afternoon I picked up Jason's sister Beka, beloved babysitter of Piper and Finley, and when we returned, my neighbor came up to me and said she had found something in her yard that she thought belonged to me...it was Piper's shot record. I thought that was weird...how did it get in her yard?

DDDUUUHHH.

Yeah, then I realized that I must have left the shot record on the roof of my car, but did I remember my camera? Not until the next morning while I was in the shower did it cross my mind that I hadn't taken any pictures of the girls at school and where was my camera anyway, because I thought I had brought it with me and then...CRAP!

I walked up and down the street looking for even the smallest piece that would represent by beloved memory maker, but alas she eluded me and there was no trace of her anywhere. Some punk probably found it but hopefully it was after it had pour down rain and ruined it and put her out of her misery of being away from her master. Oh, how I miss her nimble size and shape, her easy operations, her sleek styling, her 5 megapixel crisp beautiful pictures. Surprisingly, Jason wasn't too upset with me, I guess he figured that I felt bad enough.

And now Piper is putting "make-up" (crayon coloring) on her babydoll. Nice.

Construction on our pool is supposed to start next week and if you didn't know...we are being sued but I'm not really supposed to talk about that. It's real fun! And neat!

I'm looking forward to this holiday weekend. We will be visiting with family, celebrating birthdays and Jonah will be home. Thinking about taking the girls to a football game and hopefully we might make it to the beach, but it is so stinkin hot!

21 Questions

My girls are 2.5 years old and 9.5 months old and already have a busier social calendar than me. We are committed to something every morning of the week except Fridays and even that day has the possibility of a commitment in the future. I like it this way, though, because it also keeps me busy and not able to get depressed because honestly I don't have time to be down. But it does make me think about the fact that it is all too easy to let your children become your identity when all you do is for them and with them.

I am now becoming "Piper's Mom" or "Finley's Mom" or even "Jason's Wife." Far away are the days when I was "Shannon." The days when boys lusted after me, children were things that I played with and returned when they got needy, nights that became morning without seeing sleep, and I shopped for "make him pant" clothes. Now it's more like babies that lust after the "boob", children returned to me when they get needy, nights that still see no sleep but in a bad way, and clothes that I don't care if they get thrown up on.

I need to better myself someway. I don't know...like take a class, start a business (a definite possibility right now), do something that reflects who I am as me, of course that is what needs defining. Now when I think about what I just wrote it's like, blah blah blah...these are things that you will always question I think throughout your life because your life is constantly changing. Jason and I always talk about how ever since we started dating it's like our life has been a whirlwind of jobs and marriage, and houses, and kids, and jobs and lawsuits and kids and houses etc. And we don't really see a time soon when it will slow down. That's ok though because I have the most amazing people to share it with.

Jason: "Do you know how many questions I had to answer?"
Me: "How many?"
Jason: "21. So, do you wanna play 21 question? *wink wink*"
Me: "It's 20 questions, dear."

As if

there is this woman that is really starting to annoy me. I was told by a mutual friend that this woman is convinced that I have named my children from a certain TV show that I have never seen and will never watch because it is about witches and as you can conclude from previous posts, witches are not one of my interests. As if I would name my beautiful daughter after a witch?

The whole coincidence thing is that the actress that plays the witch character with the same name as my daughter...well the actress had a baby boy and named him Finley. So the actress that plays Piper has a boy named Finley. It is weird, I know, and it would be a logical conclusion to say that I derived their names from that, but I DIDN'T. And, this woman has been told that NUMEROUS times by NUMEROUS people and yet she still feels the need to bring it up with people that are mutual friends. Just to be clear, Piper's name was a name I had always liked and Finley's name came from some liner notes in a CD. If she had been a boy her name would have been Finn (we call her that anyways) and to make it more feminine I made into Finley after Finley Quaye, who as it turns out is a British black man.

And oh how I wish that were the end of the story but there is more. This woman recently had a baby girl. This woman named her daughter...PIPER! At first I didn't know if I should be flattered or pissed off because we travel in somewhat of the same cirlces (not all that often espeically now) and I know her from when I was teaching and there is a chance that our children will go to the same school and the name Piper isn't like the popular names Madison or Emily or Olivia or whatever. People know my child partly because she has a unique name and I like it that way and I guess this woman wanted the same for her baby but everyone will know that my Piper is the original. So at Mom's Day Out there is a Finley and a Piper in the same class. Geez. It isn't so original when you steal it from someone else.The funny thing is when I see this woman while picking up our children, she will not say her child's name in front of me. It reminds me of this article I read about names picked by parents and how it is realted to socio-economics... like the name starts in the upper-class and slowly works its way down the ladder. So where does that put her on the ladder? She did name her child after a witch, you know.

I am mean, I know...wonder if this woman reads my blog?

First Aid

go visit my friend Kellie and give her some love.

Piper and Jagger were born on the same day and that is weird because Jagger's daddy is my ex from jr high/high school. we dated for like 5 years and yeah, his son has the same birthday as my daughter...weird. Anyway, Jagger is a sweet boy and Piper loves to play with him when she gets the chance.

Future Stylist

I have been letting Piper pick out her own clothes recently because it is better than dealing with wrestling a toddler to the ground while she is screaming and kicking me because she doesn't want the "blue" shirt but the "pink ballerina dress." Anyway, the funny thing about it is she will get something out and say "oh no, this doesn't match" and it will be the one outfit that DOES match and then she'll pick something else and say "oh my, this is beautiful. it's gorgeous, mama?" Yes, honey. I don't care about the stares we get wherever we go...my child has unique style and personality and I would have it no other way. She has so little control over many of the decision in her life right now that it is nice to give her some power and choice.

Reality Advertising

I am delving into my Husbands world of advertising and marketing with this post because I am just so impressed with this new trend of using "real women" and "real beauty" in advertising. It peaked in my interest while reading this article in the NY Times.

It is no secret that Dove has started a massive campaign with their "Real Beauty" advertising and it is about time. How long have we been subjected to ads featuring stick thin, beautifully coifed women who have no idea what it is like to scrape dried up poop off a wall or pray that no none sees you with vomit all over your shirt because of course you packed an extra outfit for the baby, but a clean shirt for you...that is a luxury? What surprised me was when i went to the Dove website and found thelink for The Dove Self Esteem Fund. In the US, the DSEF is partnering with the Girl Scouts "to educate and inspire girls on a wider definition of beauty and to make them feel more confident about themselves." How great is that?

When I was a teenager I (like many others going through what I think is one the most difficult times in a woman's life) never thought that I was all that pretty. Sure, I thought I was average looking, but what bothered me most was my "athletic" figure. My thighs, I thought, were wide and big, not strong and firm. My chest was flat, not fit and trim. I knew that these were things that went along with being an athlete and I also knew that I did not have the body of like a dancer...long, lean, graceful, and thin. I was/am short, curvy, and muscular. The grass is always greener, right? I also think that the way I viewed my body directly influenced how I realted to others...especially boys. I was sporty...therefore tom-boyish...therefore always "one of the guys" and not the girlfriend. I painted that picture and that is what people saw. My hope is that by the time Piper and Finley realize there are "ideals" in beauty, those "ideals" will be a wider range of beautiful and women who are strong and smart and ambitious and independent will be the ones that my girls will look up to an admire for their true beauty.

So, when I saw a Nike ad in a magazine I was so excited to see a company touch on a subject that so needs to be re-invented. It talks about and highlights the fact that a woman's butt is big and round and fine just the way it is. I was thinking...right on! Someone finally gets it...that skinny does not = beautiful. Healthy = beautiful and that comes in all shapes and sizes. There are a series of these ads that celebrate different parts of the body like "thunder thighs" (my favorite because I can relate) and broad shoulders. There are also TV ads that feature real women talking candidly about their bodies.

I have since learned to appreciate my "assests." My body has given birth twice and nourished two girls into strong thriving children. I am strong and it is important to me to take care of mybody and then it will take care of me. I may have "thunder thighs" but I like me like that and really that is all that matters. There are times when I feel fat and bloated and there are times that I feel sexy, but my insecurities or my sense of pride are not what defines me...what defines me is the way I view what God has given me and how I use His blessings in my life. I want my girls to view me as a role model of strength and beauty.

A bad case of the Mondays

So I have been feeling sort of blah lately. School has started and the girls are going to Mom's Day Out 2 days a week and we have ballet class 1 day a week and at the end of the month labschool will start and then we will have committments every morning of the week except Fridays. Busy, an my girls are under 3 years old. I like the busy-ness because it helps keep me organized because when you have so much crap to do you have no choice other than to be organized.

On top of that the girls are sick, well, have been sick for 2 weeks. Fun. Now, Piper is on antibiotics...again...can we ever get well? Maybe we have some sort of immune super-disease that htey are always telling you is going to wipe out the whole world when it gets over here from Asia or Europe or wherever it is lying dormant waiting to strike. Oh, the drama.

We went to the church that we belong to on Sunday (we haven't been to that church in like a month and even then it was only 1 Sunday and we hadn't been before that in like 6 weeks) and during the "meet and greet" time people were coming up to us and making comments like, "oh, we missed you" - translation - where have you been?, are you leaving the church?, are you taking drugs? and things like "Oh, I haven't seen you in so long!" and then giving me the look like..."explain yourself!" So, I found myself making excuses for my family "we've been out of town" (true) "we've been sick" (also true) but they kept giving "the look" and I kept stammering on about who knows what until the next person would come over to "greet" me and the cycle began again. I felt so welcomed.

A lot of my frineds are pregnant and it makes me want to be pregnant again, for like half of a second,and then I remember that i can't remember anything because I get no sleep and I can hold off on the pregnant thing for a while. I miss it, though. The first feelings of exhilaration when you see the two lines or read the "pregnant" on that new digital thing. And then the feeling of the cold tile while you are throwing up. And then those first flutters or hearing the fast beating of the heart. Then seeing the little bean on the ultrasound. Feeling your belly grow and stretch. Getting to eat whatever you want and not worry about getting fat.There are definite advantages to being pregnant...it gives youa built in excuse for just about anything - don't want to cook dinner - "I can't cook because the smells make me want to hurl" this excuse also works for cleaning the frige or going grocery shopping. Don't want to clean the house "I can't clean because I can't bend over like thatand reach things and my doctor said that I need to be extra careful because with all this extra weight my balance is off" or "the fumes from the cleaning product make me want to hurl" The "makes me want to hurl" can be applied to just about anything.

Finn is crawling EVERYWHERE now. This is good and bad. Good - she occupies herself for longer periods of time and can get to what she wants. Bad - what she wants is usually me and now she can get to me wherever I am and then try to climb up my leg while I'm wrestling around with raw chicken or something. It will not be longbefore she is walking and that makes me a little nervous.

Piper is such a little girl now...like a kid instead of a baby. She is smart and clever too. She knows more than I teach her and can manipulate with the best of 'em. She is sweet and loving and cuddly and soft.

Life goes on even when you have the "blahs" and I guess it is my choice to turn my "blahs" into "blahmenade."

Your Love Gets Sweeter
Written by F. Quaye

You know your smile woman
You treat me so darn darn fine
You give me such an appetite
And I need your loving every night


Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day


Baby when you kiss my lips
Makes me want to go head over heels for you
When you whisper in my ear
What I say is how I feel for you yeah


Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day


Since I was sweet 16
I wanted you to make you my queen
Then until the day you were
You're the loving girl that's taking my hand


Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day


Now I'm glad I'm older man
See things are riding to plan
And baby if you promise me
We can build our world together


Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day
Your love gets sweeter every day


Walking so sweetly when you walk when you talk
When you dance with me girl
Walking so sweetly when you walk when you talk
When you dance with me girl

Favorite Things August

1. So funny t-shirt for my kids


2. Baby Bee stuff from Burt's Bees...my goodness the lotion smells absolutely delicious! And I lovelovelove the shampoo bar.


3. Home Sweet Home candle by the Yankee Cancdle Company...makes my house smell "comfy cozy" as Piper andI like to say.


4. Mom's Day Out...there is nothing like having just 3 hours to get stuff done without worrying about crying or diapers or potty accidents or making sure you still have 2 girls with you and you didn't "accidentally" lose one.


5. Blingo click the link on my page and become one of my blingo friends!


6. I got this speaker thing for my ipod mini and I LOVE it! This way we get to listen to all the music I have paid good money for...I tell Jason all the time, what good is my ipod if I can't listen to the music? I mean, with 2 children I can't very well wear headphones and the FM transmitter thing I have in my car sucks, so I got these speakers and we listened to them all weekend. Kind of nice to have the TV off and dance around in the kitchen.


7. This new radio station I found in my area...it plays like 80's and 90's but the really good stuff.


8. The Orlando Science Center...so much fun!


9. My Husband is on my favorites list right now. An absolute amazing man. He was going to surprise me with a trip away this coming weekend but he knew that with 2 children spontaneous = telling my in advance so I could prepare. Not sure what we are going to do yet, but it really is his idea that counts and it romantic all by itself.

missing you

I'm really missing my husband right now and it reminds me of when I was in college and we first starting dating and we had the unhealthy co-dependent relationship that is so great and intense and make-you-sick-to-your-stomach exciting. On those lonely nights I would listen to music and soon one song came to be one of "our" songs. It ended up being the song we danced our last dance to at our wedding. When I hear this song it literally wraps around my heart and squeezes it and I am an immediate wash of love and tears and emotion. Not many songs touch me in that way and speak to the way I feel about my soul partner and I want him to know that he is all that I need and all that I want...we don't need that stinkin pool, your love and support and humor and tenderness are more than enough to make my cup run over.

I miss you, jase

All I Want Is You - U2

You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
You say you want your story to remain untold
But all the promises we make from the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you'll give me a highway with no one on it
Treasure just to look upon it
All the riches in the night
You say you'll give me eyes in a moon of blindness
A river in a time of dryness
A harbour in the tempest
But all the promises we make from the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You say you want your love to work out right
To last with me through the night
You say you want diamonds on a ring of gold
Your story to remain untold
Your love not to grow cold
All the promises we break from the cradle to the grave
When all I want is you

You
All I want is you
All I want is you
All I want is you

love you

Vacation

So, vacation, yeah. well. uhm.

We left on Saturday morning before the sun woke up thinking we are going to make really good time because it was a 10 hour trip. The car was gassed up and loaded and everyone had gone to the bathroom so we were ready to go!

Everything was smooth until we hit Atlanta. Then we stopped. Accident. Interstate closed. We were in the car for over 3 hours without moving. There was one highlight - next to us was a delivery type truck and in the passenger seat was a man with a bandana thing on his head and Piper looked over at him and said, "Look, Mama, a pirate."

Finally they directed us onto an on ramp in the opposite direction and we had to figure out our way from there. We puttered along and finally got passed Atlanta about 4 hours later than we had anticipated. The girls were not happy.

Piper: "I don't want vacation. I want to go home. I'm not having a rockin good time."

What could be worse than that? How about getting lost. In the dark. On the back-roads of North Carolina. In the mountains.

All in all our 10 hour trip turned into a 17 hour trip and was not he best way to start our relaxing week away.

When we did finally arrive at the house we were greeted by all my family and told that we needed to tour the house o pick what room we wanted for the week. Apparently only 2 of the 6 bedrooms were air conditioned and one of the bedrooms was not livable because of an "odor" problem that seemed to originate with a "mold" problem that seemed to originate with a "water damage" problem.

Then there were the bathrooms. They look like they hadn't been cleaned in, well, they looked like they hadn't been cleaned EVER. There was black mold and gunk all over.

Needless to say, it was not what we were used to when it came to vacation homes. Other than that, however we had a very nice time. Lakehouses are not my favorite...it's not surprise that I'd rather be at the beach... but Jason and I did get to go white water rafting, which I love and we had so much fun. My oldest brother Sean guided our raft and that was way more fun than having a real guide. We also hung out on Sean's boat and Jason did some wakeboarding and tubing that I only heard stories about.

Piper and Finn go to know their cousins and aunts and uncles more and it was a nice reunion time for our family. We went "gem mining" and tried to fish but were rained out. We did a lot of swimming and lazing around and the trip back only took a little over 10 hours and was actually a very nice ride home.

It was hot and humid and fun and togetherness.

check out the pictures here.

Dear Piper Jolie

I can hardly believe that you are 2 1/2 years old. You amaze me on a daily basis and bring such joy to my life.

I remember that night 2.5 years ago that I met you for the first time. It was like I had this feeling that I had someone to fight for and protect and that we were in this together. I had never felt something so heavy and so deep for anything or anyone. I was overflowing with love for you, a new link of love and I understood what "unconditional" meant.



You are so smart and clever. One of my favorite things is to watch you figure something out or discover something new. You pick things up very quickly and to our dismay that includes some of bad habits as well, so now we are more careful and deliberate in our words and actions. The other day we were in the car and you kept saying, "Mama, I see a stop sign. And another one. Look! there's another one." I thought , well, here is a learning experience and I asked you, "Piper, what shape is a stop sign?" We had gone over this before but only casually so I didn't think that you would remember. "Octagon."



You are a loving and sweet child. I had this fear in the back of my mind, well actually I talked about it with your father all the time, that you would fell abandoned when Finley arrived, pushed aside for this new thin that you wouldn't understand. I thought this would translate into you being angry and acting out against your sister and that I would have to constantly "police" you and watch what you were doing. How wrong I was to think those things. You love your baby sister so much and she loves you so much. None of us provoke a smile and laugh and excitement from Finley like you do just by entering the room. You are beginning to play together and you are so good about "using your words" to let Finn know what is ok and what is not ok. You take turns and you don't hold a grudge...not for very long anyway.



You are very affectionate and will offer a hug or a pat on the back and it melts my heart. I kiss you every chance I get for fear of the day when you will be embarrassed, but I think I'll still do it anyway. We have kisses and nose rubs and butterfly kisses. There are times when I think I could just squeeze you until you pop because I can't get enough.

You are a happy child. You sing when no one is listening and I love to hear your made up songs. I will always listen. You dance and jump and run and show us your muscles. You have the obnoxious smile and the smile I try to take a picture of when you aren't paying attention. There are times when you don't get your way and you make it known that you ARE NOT HAPPY. These times are few and we can usually get you to talk it through.



You LOVE to read and paint and draw. We sing together and dance together. You favorite thing to do at the park is to swing. You have mastered the potty (yea!) and you have a good sense of pride about your accomplishments. I love it when you say, "I did it!"

There are so many things that make you, "you." You know how to win me over and you know how to ask you daddy after I say no. You are my definition of joy. I am so happy that your sister has you to look up to as you both grow. You are a friend and a sister and a daughter and the poopinator. I love you, my bug.

vacation

one of my favorite images from our vacation. who is having the better time?

we're back

so we have returned from vacation and let's just say that it wasn't exactly how we had pictured it to be.

I will post more later including pictures but for now I am busy with the house and laundry and groceries and jason not being here because he left this morning to go to NYC. Yes, we returned last night and he left this morning and I'm sure it was to avoid certain house hold chores...not really. I feel so sorry for him...he has to go to boring NYC and eat at terrible restaurants and not have any fun at all...yeah, right.

copy cats

jason and I were looking at some pictures I took yesterday and when we saw this

we decided to do our own stellar rendition of "The Piper Smile." Funny thing is that when i showed Piper the picture that I took of her she said to me: "Mama, that is not a happy face."

And here is Finn very excited, so excited in fact that right after this picture was taken she spontaneously combusted. Not really, but she was really excited.

I'm not the only one

So, around the time of my birthday, I registered for some gifts, as a joke, and people actually purchased gifts from this list, which was a little bit embarassing but also very thoughtful.

Jason made fun of me endlessly for making this list, but oh how the tables have turned. As i was browsing through someone's baby registry on Amazon, I came across a link for "Jason's Amazon Wishlist" and his Froogle Wishlist.

Yes, Jason has a registry.

Favorite Things

It's time for another Favorite Things post:

It's been a rough month but we leave for vacation in 3 days so that more than makes up for the difficult times.

1. ANTIBIOTICS! for me! for Jason! for the girls! Come on - everybody's doing it!

2. Flylady : she is changing my life one "zone" at a time.

3. Our coffeemaker: I did not become a grown up until I started needing coffee every morning.

4. Strep throat: although it has not been pleasant each of the 3 times I've gotten it, it has done wonders for my figure...it's the new fad diet!

5. Dinner and lunch with 2 different great couples that we actually think we could be friends with because they are not weird.

6. Reality TV: Brat Camp, Property Ladder, Miami Ink, Million Dollar Agents, What Not To Wear

7. DVR: Digital Video Recorder...without this, these reality shows would not be on the list of favorite things

8. These onesies for twins since they are in my near future ( a niece and nephew)

9. The Wootini from Outback Steakhouse...my goodness

10. This website

They Say It's Your Birthday

Today is my brother, Matt's, birthday. He's my little brother, the one I endlessly bossed around, but hey he did what I told him...good boy!

Matt and I were both adopted and I remember the story my mom always tells that a few days after Matt came home I said to everyone, "Ok, can we give him back now because someone else needs a turn." Hey, at least I was willing to share...quite an accomplishment for a 2 year old.

We were referred to as "the little kids" in our family because our two older brothers were at lest 7 years older and they were "the big kids." Matt and I did not always get along but then again I don't seem to play well with others who try to take the spotlight from me so that about sums that up.

When Matt was born he was like 3 months premature and had all kinds of problems, they didn't think he would live. My dad was his pediatrician in the hospital before they air-lifted him to a major medical center. My dad didn't know then that Matt would become his son.

Matt had open heart surgery on his tiny little body. He suffered a stroke and was not supposed to live, but God had other plans for that baby. Who would have thought that he would graduate from high school and then graduate from college and then become a sports reporter for a newspaper (I found him the job, thank you very much)? Matt has had his fair share of struggles and I am so very proud of him for persevering through the difficult times to continue searching for the prize that God has for his life. He is the definition of a miracle.

All that's left is finding him the right girl, and I'm working on that but if you know anybody let me know, but remember they will be scrutinized by me because not just anyone is good enough for my baby brother.

Piper adores her uncle Matt and always wants to play with him and sort of bosses him around just like I used to do...good thing he had all that practice. I'm glad he has stuck around where we live because I know that if I ever needed anything I could call him and he would help, no matter what.

So,

Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday to You
Happy Birthday dear Matt
Happy Birthday to You!

3 strikes

JUNE 16



JUNE 28



JULY 11




Why are these dates significant? These are the three, yes three, times that I have tested positive for strep throat. I have been on now three different antibiotics and if this next round doesn’t work, I may have to have my tonsils removed which I am told is not the pleasant experience of all ice cream that it is when you are a child.



So I will be taking these pills three times a day for ten days and then another antibiotic once a day for 30 days which means I will be on meds for 40 DAYS!



Nice.



On a brighter note…we leave for our family vacation in 10 days. We are staying in a lake house in North Carolina with all of my family for a week.

We will be boating and fishing and wakeboarding and maybe get to go white water rafting which is one of my favorite things to do in the whole wide web, I mean world.




More fun will be the time we spend with each other playing cards, telling stories and making dinner. We will be separated from the stresses of work and deadlines and be able to relax and breathe.

Which one

which one would you rather use for the rest of your life?

the same towel

or

the same toothbrush

?

We are roses in the garden

Today I was on my way to the doctor's office when a flower delivery van passed in front of me as I waited at a red light. I started to think about who was going to be on the receiving end of those beautiful blooms. Maybe it was a new mom that just got home from the hospital with her bundle of fingers and toes. Or maybe it was a husband sending flowers for an anniversary, maybe it was someone's birthday, maybe someone's funeral.

I just kept imagining the look on the face of the person as they opened the door to find their special surprise waiting to fill their home with beauty. Ready to be a reminder for something happy or sad, an "I'm sorry" or an "I love you."

The last time Jason sent me flowers was right before we went on vacation to Curacao. It was such an act of thoughtfulness on his part it made me cry. He had been working a serious amount of hours at work (don't I remember them saying they were a family-oriented company? RIGHT) and we were at each other's throats, but this simple gesture made a big difference in me realizing that he understood the stress that was our life at the time.

be thoughtful every once in a while and send somebody a bouquet of "I'm thinking about you." I think it almost feels better to be the giver than the recipient.

My girls

Sometimes it gets really crazy in our house in the afternoons. Some people call it "the witching hour" and for good reason. It's in times like these that I am trying to pick up the day's mess and get dinner started and amuse my children at the same time. The only solution? Music. Very. Loud. MUSIC.

I don't know if it shocks them that it is so loud, or that they think I am some crazy woman because I'm dancing all over the place, but it is probably one of my favorite times of the day with them because we laugh and dance and all of the whining stops because, well, its music.

We listen to everything from U2 to Motown to Kelly Clarkson to The Cure to The Beach Boys to The Beastie Boys. Something you probably won't hear, though, is country unless it's The Dixie Chicks. Currently, Piper's favorite song is Hollaback Girl and she loves the "bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S!" She always says, "play the bamana song, mama."

It makes a difference not only in them, but in me as well. It adds a light-heartedness that is not always so easy to accomplish when it has been a crazy day. I can't describe the joy I see in their faces, the energy that flows through our home, the imagination that creates before my eyes. These times, they make my heart overflow.

Date Night

Last night Jason and I actually had a "date night." The "date night" is an endangered species around here so it was definitely an advance in a species surviving for us to be able to go out to dinner without worrying about babies.

It's funny though, because by the time the kids were fed, bathed, and ready for bed...and then we were showered and I was prettied with face and hair, we were all but too exhausted to even want to go anywhere. Then the rain started pouring down and then sideways due to the hurricane that was looming off of the other coast of Florida blowing is "feeder bands" over to our side of the state. Not the ideal romantic evening that I had imagined. Nevertheless, we persevered and went to dinner.

While we were waiting for our table we happened upon some old friends that we hadn't seen or spoken with since Finley was born 8 months ago. We had fallen into that black hole that is parenting and it was like we had all but vanished. I think it's very difficult, unless you make an extreme effort, to keep up with friends that are just not in the same place in their life as your family.

They spend their time working, advancing their careers, traveling, going to concerts, sleeping, working out...everything that basically we don't do anymore. Our time is spent fitting things in between nap times, making sure there are enough diapers, wiping hands, mouths, and little bottoms, cleaning up when "mama, I made a mess," and doing all this while still be as animated as a cartoon character.

Not only is it difficult to relate to their lifestyle, but I am so sure that they absolutely love hearing about all the mess that is our children. I am not saying that there is anything wrong with either one of these lifestyles, I am just saying that it is too much work to worry about not boring people when you are always talking about your kids. If you are a chef I'm sure that food is one of your main topics, and so being a mom, my kids are my main topic. That is not all there is of me, but it is a main dish.

Anyway...this new FlyLady thing is kicking my butt, in a good way. I have so much more pride in what I accomplish, even if it is just a babystep. I did slack off a bit last night, though, because it 's kind of difficult to shine a sink after 3 martinis, you know? But my oh my were they goood martinis!

reality blogging

this just happened:

I bribed Piper with chocolate to let me pick a humongous booger out of her nose.

Now her nose is booger free and she has melted chocolate all over her face and hands.

Beautiful Girls

We went to the park this morning before it got too hot and I took some pictures you can check them out here. Piper had fun on the swings and the jungle gym, it amazes me how each time we go to the park she seems to be able to do more and more, climb higher and higher, swing faster and faster.

Finn is still a little small for anything except the baby swing which she does not really enjoy so she hangs out in the stroller in the shade with some toys.

I love taking them to the park and seeing them thinking about things, figuring them out, running around, learning how to move their bodies and manipulate their space. Piper is jumping all the time now and dances whenever the idea of music is in the air. Finley just this morning started to dance as I sang the "clean-up" song of all things. She was swaying back and forth in her highchair and smiling and squealing. These are times that I want to remember and think about and savor. There are always the "big" moments in our life but is the ordinary times that define us and mold us into who we are.

On a different note, I have started a new system to get this house under control and I really like it; it has already started to make a difference. My sink is shiny!

Who's afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?

Did you have any childhood fears? Things that kept you up at night with their anxious thoughts? When I was a little girl, my bedroom was very small. It actually was very cozy and always messy as I admit that I am a messy person. My bed was this built in that was high up off the ground surrounded by walls on three sides with a small window on one wall. I never, never, NEVER, looked out that window...the shade was always drawn and I made sure that I could not see anything through the sides and nothing could see me.

That was one of my childhood fears. You see, there was this scary, weird neighbor we had that never came out of his house. His name, Mr. McCurly and I believe he had a wife but I never saw either of them. My fear revolved around the idea that this man would somehow climb up on top of the roof and pear at me through this window. It was a fear I had every night when I went to bed and everytime I would wake up in the middle of the night I would do my best to make it look like there was no one sleeping in my bed, but just a pile of covers in the event that he would look through the window, there would be no reason to try to sneak in through that window...not that he ever could because the window had been painted shut about a thousand years ago.

Looking back I do see how irrational this fear was, but I think that if I were to sleep in that bed again I would have the same fear.

We have been dealing with fears in our home lately, and not just the ones about the monster under the bed. Piper has been waking at least once a night and I think it is due to nightmares. She has been saying things like, "do you see that monster/dinosaur mommy? It's scary" And we went to a puppet show of The 3 Little Pigs and she was introduced to the "Big Bad Wolf" and now makes remarks about that.

Jason and I have had our own fears as well. Grown up fears. About two months ago Jason was "terminated" from his position at the company that I am not allowed to talk about on my blog. It has been extremely stressful and we have been afraid of our life. I wish that I could go into more detail but it is out of my hands at this point. And last night Jason said something about loving each other but not being in-love with each other like we were when we were dating...oh so afraid of where that was going and where it came from.

Yesterday was the 4th of July. We spent the weekend at the beach playing in the sand, swimming in the ocean and making sure that the girls had on enough sunscreen...oh how I love the smell of babies with sunscreen slathered all over. We were having a great time until these morons decided to light off these huge fireworks in the dunes right in front of our condo aiming them just so they barely missed flying through our balcony. Finn slept through the entire ordeal, Piper was terrified. shaking.

She wanted to go inside desperately, so I sat with her and reassured her and we watched the fireworks on tv. She said "fireworks are pretty on tv" "I like the big ones on tv"

It made me think once again about my role as her mother. I will protect you, love. I would never let anything intentionally harm you. You are so special to me that your needs will come before mine and I will keep you out of harm's way. There is nothing that could separate you from my love and I will guard you from evil.

Reminds me of someone else that wants to do the same for His children.

Like I didn't know

Piper and I were sharing a frozen pizza for lunch today and to divide the pieces up I cut the pizza with a pair of scissors.

Piper became very agitated and looked at me with a scrunched-up face and said:

"No Mommy, we cut paper!"

Dear Dad,

When I was young you decided that I needed to collect stamps. Sean and Corey collected baseball cards and coins and I think that you wanted to find something that you and I could do together so you asked me if I would like to collect stamps. I said yes, more for the time with you than the actual stamps. So you bought this massive book and ordered these “grab-bags” of stamps that we proceeded to look up on the book and paste to the appropriate page. I don’t recall how long it lasted, not long I’m sure, but it’s funny how something like that takes space in my memory.

You see, from that day on I have still been collecting stamps, just a different kind. I have been collecting memories that have been stamped on my heart of the things you have done with and for me, your daughter. I do not hesitate to say that I am your favorite daughter, because I am your only daughter…and I don’t hesitate to say that I am spoiled, because, well, I am your only daughter. But, I also know that you are my favorite father and not because you are my only father because my father could have been anyone and that is my first stamp. You chose to love me not because you had to but because you wanted to love me.

My next stamp is the picture I have of a man that nobody else knows. I always think it’s funny when I hear other people describe you…they use word like: “intense,” “quiet,” “stern,” “straight-forward,” “conservative.” While you are all of these things, they are only the smallest part of who you are to me. When I think of you these are the words stamped into my heart: “gentle,” “loving,” “funny,” “holy,” “godly.”

Pictures of you in my mind are of you playing charades, working outside (risking your life), healing illness, praying in earnest, telling a story, giving us facts and information that come out of the blue, your childish smirk. I remember when I turned 13 years old and you took me on a real “date” to the Strawberry Mansion and gave me a (small) diamond ring to wear to remind me to stay pure until I was married. You gave me morals and ideals and the tools to stick with my convictions.

Other memories I have are of you coming to my volleyball or basketball, or plays, or whatever I was into at any age. You made my lunches until I was married and moved out of the house. Did I ever say thank you? Thank you. You walked me down an aisle twice…becoming a young woman in society and then becoming a wife. You helped deliver my two girls and make sure they are safe and well and growing and strong. You have seen me through the good and the bad of boyfriends and through the relationship that led to my husband for who you were my example.

Above all this is the stamp that is most important and most precious. You have shown me what it is to be a man after God’s own heart. Your family is a reflection of your love for your Father and your devotion to Him.

And so I may not have a book full of expensive collector stamps, but I have a heart that is overflowing with something priceless. Thank you and I love you.

Mystery Solved

Here I am blogging from my brother's home in Birmingham, Alabama and we have solved the mystery of the rogue fever that plagued our litle girl...she has sprouted a tooth. Her first tooth, on the bottom...makes me a little bit sad.

Anyway, enjoy your holiday weekend...spend time with your family.

Blood, sweat and tears

I never knew that when I signed up for this gig known as "motherhood" that it would entail so much contact with bodily fluids that do not belong to me. It all started this morning as I was changing Finley's diaper and accidentally stuck my finger in the poop. Nice and good morning to me!

Spit came next followed by its relative, throw- up (the noun and the verb). A little pee, some runny snot and a sneeze later and voila - Finley has a fever. Each time either one of my girls has gotten sick, I am pretty laid-back about it...I guess it comes from being raised by a pediatrician and a pediatric nurse practicioner who never believed me when I said I was sick.

Anyway, Finley spiked a fever and it wasn't that high so I didn't freak out or anything...UNTIL...she was just incredibly lethargic. I mean, she just laid on me and was dozing off and I had just woken her from a 4 hour nap (which id incredibly unusual for this baby). I laid her down on my bed and she just laid there not moving, not crying, not sleeping...just...nothing. This was not my child and she was burning up...so...I freaked out.

I called my parents at work and told them I was "very concerned" and they said they wanted to see her and worked her in, the perk of being their daughter. So they poked and prodded and found nothing so they wanted to do a blood test...just a finger prick. I don't freak out about stuff like that so it was not big deal, but back to the bodily fluids...blood all over my shirt from her tiny little finger.

She is ok so don't worry but the bodily fluids don't stop there...oh no...Piper was not about to be outdone by her baby sister and so when we were outside of our house this evening saying goodbye to my parents who had come over for dinner, Piper decided to run to me on the sidewalk and she ate it big time. So I scooped her up and the blood stained my already ruined clothes and I hugged her and told her everything would be alright.

I was looking at my shirt later on and I thought about the stains and I liken it to the stains they have made on my heart. Each time something happens, big or small, important or insignificant, painful or joyous, tears or smiles...it makes a mark on my heart for my girls and I think that one day those scars will tell the story of a content and full life. Do you remember that time when...

Wise Words

Psalm 91

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!"

For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper, and from the deadly pestilence.

He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you may seek refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

You will not be afraid of the terror by night, or of the arrow that flies by day;

Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, or of the destruction that lays waste at noon.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not approach you.

You will only look on with your eyes, and see the recompense of the wicked.

For you have made the Lord, my refuge, even the most high, your dwelling place.

No evil will befall you, nor will and plague come near your tent.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways.

They will bear you up in their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample down.

"Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.

He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him, and honor him.

With a long life I will satisfy him, And let him behold My salvation."

things to come

just so you know, I am not slacking off...we have had some technical difficulties in our family life right now and I have not had the proper amount of time to post anything that makes sense. I wish I could talk about it, but right now it is too delicate of a situation. As soon as I figure out how to post with pictures thru Flickr I will tell you all about our vacation. I know, I know...you can't wait?

Until then, if you pray...please pray for our family right now. We very much appreciate the prayers lifted up by our brothers and sisters in faith. When I can fill you in, I will.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Dear Finley

You are 6 months old now. A whole half of a year old. Happy Half Birthday!

What can I tell you about these first 6 months of your life? You are every bit a part of this family as if you were always here. You came into this world to meet a mama, daddy, and big sister and now you hate it when any of us are out of your sight. I fear that you are a bit over-bonded with me, but it's ok because secretly I love it that sometimes I am the only one who can calm you and soothe you.

Recently you love it when your daddy makes this annoying noise that he thinks sounds like a sea lion. He starts and then your sister starts and then you are belly-laughing. Sometimes that laugh consumes your whole entire little body and you get so excited that you look like you could explode. Other times it is the screaming and crying and general madness that makes you look like that.

You like pears and bananas and I am trying to get you to take something other than my boob. I try to sit you up and you will stay for like half of a second and then you lean forward and stay that way for a little while and then you either topple over to the front or to the side. You like your exersaucer...but...Lord help you when you are done being in there. You definitely are not shy about speaking up for yourself.

You like to sleep on your tummy and you take a passy, unlike your sister you plugs her mouth with her thumb. You absolutely love love love your big sister Piper, and she loves you. I just sit and watch the two of you sometimes while you play together...as much as you can play. She does silly things and you laugh at her and I can just see the way you look at her like she is the best. You are going to be such best friends. I never had that kind of relationship so you should know that you are very lucky and blessed to have someone that you can share secrets with and fight over clothes and boys...you might not always get along but you will always have someone to go to when you need help.

You love the water...especially the pool. You kick your feet and legs and love to float. You also love to be outside just laying on a blanket or beach towel in the shade looking at the trees swaying in the wind and staring at the shadows the sun makes.

My sweet child, I love you more than you can understand. My love for you is deep and high, wide and heavy. Know that I will protect you but not smother you, discipline you but also allow you to explore on your own. The world is yours for discovering.